“Nietzsche argues that a healthy society should allow superior individuals to exercise “will to power,” their drive toward domination and exploitation of the inferior. The superior person follows a “master-morality” that emphasizes power, strength, egoism, and freedom, as distinguished from a “slave-morality” that calls for weakness, submission, sympathy, and love.”

Book Review:

A master and slave morality, for me, is like of those Master and servants relationship. As for the master, since he is the superior, he has the power to command task to the inferior ones. A good or healthy society, as described by Nietzsche, should allow superior individuals to exercise their will to power with the inferior. For me it means that a society to be healthy, the higher people should practice and exercise their powers over the smaller people. I think an example if that of the president over the country which he governed. A president is considered as the superior, he has the right to command task and those who are inferior to him should follow. Exercising his power or the “will to power” includes making decisions for his people. As the superior being, he has the job or task to control his people and anything under his constitution. A healthy society can be produced if the inferior ones allow the superior to handle or to command them.

Nietzsche’s only explained a healthy society with this master slave morality. Exercising the will to power is a key to obtain one. I think all of us are entitled to our own opinion. And as what I’ve read, his writings are not harmful and dangerous. Charges against him are not justifiable because I think he just explained what he think and believe.

Integrative Questions:

What is will to power?

What is a healthy society?

What is master morality?

What is slave morality?

Does Nietzsche’s writings really harmful?

What I have learned:

I have learned about master- and slave- morality. For me, this master- slave relationship is not immoral. I believe that it is a key in obtaining a healthy society. The superior ones has the authority over the inferiors.

Review Questions

1. How does Nietzsche characterize a good and healthy society?

A good and healthy society can allow their superior to exercise their “will to power”, their drive toward domination and exploitation of the inferior.

2. What is Nietzsche’s view of injury, violence and exploitation?

Injury, violence and exploitation, according to Nietzsche avoid us to experience the sense of good conduct among individuals when there are necessary conditions given.

3. Distinguish between master-morality and slave-morality.

Master morality is the value creator. Slave morality illustrates the virtue of sympathy, kindness and humility.

4. Explain the Will to Power.

Will of Power is precisely the will to life. It can be achieved thru creative activity.

Discussion Questions

1. Some people view Nietzsche’s writings as harmful and even dangerous. For example, some have charged Nietzsche with inspiring Nazism. Are these charges justified or not? Why or why not?

Nietzsche’s only explained a healthy society with this master slave morality. Exercising the will to power is a key to obtain one. I think all of us are entitled to our own opinion. And as what I’ve read, his writings are not harmful and dangerous. Charges against him are not justifiable because I think he just explained what he think and believe.

2. What does it mean to be “a creator of values”?

“What is injurious to me is injurious in itself; he knows that it is he himself only who confers honor on things; he is a creator of values.”